Kansas City museum draws 300,000 visitors with life-size book exhibits

The Rabbit hOle in Kansas City, Missouri, has attracted more than 300,000 visitors since its opening in 2024.

The museum occupies more than 40,000 square feet and features approximately 45 life-size exhibits based on children's books. Visitors from all 50 U.S. states and countries including Italy, Sweden, and Singapore have traveled to the site. The exhibits recreate scenes from classic titles such as Madeline, Frog and Toad, and Curious George. Newer additions include displays for My Garden and I Want My Hat Back. One installation reproduces the room from Goodnight Moon, complete with a bed, fireplace, oversized rocking chair, and a moving moon.

Each exhibit includes a copy of the corresponding book. The museum's factory produces the displays in-house. One feature is a 16-foot panda named Stillwater from the book Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth. Founder Peter Cowdin and his wife Deb Pettid operated a bookstore for 28 years before establishing the museum. Cowdin stated that he discovered his love for children's stories as an adult. He said the couple wanted to celebrate literature without focusing on marketing or sales. Cowdin described the goal as emphasizing the history and culture of the books. He added that creation and generative activity are central to the museum's mission.

Federal data indicates a decline in recreational reading among children. In the 1980s, more than half of 9-year-olds read for fun almost every day. The Nation's Report Card shows that figure has dropped to 37%. Among 13-year-olds, only 14% regularly read for fun. The number of children who rarely or never read is increasing. Meanwhile, 65% of children ages 8 to 13 watch television daily and average 5.5 hours of screen time per day.

Abbey Mecca, a visitor with three children, said reading is a non-negotiable part of her household culture. She stated that it is not an option to skip reading at home. Idean Bindell, a mother of three, said the museum helped her children appreciate the storytelling process. She noted that the exhibits allow children to see every step of the creative process rather than just seeing books on a shelf.

Cowdin said the museum did not set out to remove children from screens, but it has been a result. He said he has never encountered a child wanting to use a phone or tablet inside the museum. He attributed the captivation to the museum's focus on the joy of reading rather than treating it as a chore or homework. Cowdin criticized what he called an overreaction to drilling reading as a skill rather than a pleasure. He said the museum serves as a counterbalance to that approach.

Cowdin and Pettid secured permission from authors or their estates for every exhibit. The rights were granted for free to keep admission costs affordable. Tickets cost $16 per person. Children ages 2 and younger enter for free. Cowdin hopes the museum inspires others to adopt a similar approach to reading.